GOOD ‘DUMPING’ FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

GOOD ‘DUMPING’ FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. Fish and Chicken Markets in Lahad Datu combat rubbish and foul smell.

Habitual dumping of rubbish into the sea over the years has caused a major build-up of sludge, usually camouflaged by the high tide. With little knowledge of the environmental impact of such human actions, the residents of Lahad Datu were surprised that simple actions can be taken to minimize the pollution.

The main sponsors for the event – Lahad Datu Flour Mill Sdn Bhd, Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Masih Jaya Sdn Bhd, Sang Lee Trading, Teck Guan Trading – were equally enthusiastic about doing their part for the environment. Apart from the financial contributions, staff volunteers were present during the mudball making sessions.

The 3 organizers pointed out, EM mudballs are not there indefinitely and needs to be periodically added to clean up the „centurion‟ sludge. Micro-organisms from EM Mudballs, coupled with education and awareness of loving the environment plays complementary roles in cleaning up the waters. The first 100,000 EM mudballs signifies the budding of a lifelong effort to protect Mother Nature and the essential source of life – Water.

The event proved invigorating for the children of Lahad Datu as well as the volunteers at site. All the 100,000 mudballs were thrown into sea at 6 different locations – Lahad Datu Central Market, Jetty Bandar Wilayah, Pantai Bandar Wilayah, Highway Jalan Pantai, Parit Pasar Malam “Warong” and Parit Metro Commercial Centre.

2 days after 100,000 EM Mudball Campaign, the organizers head down to Lahad Datu Central Market, together with Mr Adnan Misuari from Ministry of Health (Lahad Datu) and Mr Rosdi Sawal, an Enforcement Officer from Lahad Datu Town Council who was with his team. All of them saw a welcoming sight and are proud of the changes in the central market after the program. „The smell has noticeably reduced, especially near the chicken market, and the stallholders and business people around the area seem to take more pride in their surrounding areas. Hopefully they will continue with their efforts.‟

When interviewed, Mr Morpi B. Mora, a fishmonger at the Lahad Datu Fish Market said „he is also happy with the results of the campaign as it is cleaner and emits less smell‟.

Mdm Hanidah Bt Amit, Head of Fish Market (PPIB) Lahad Datu added, „ We would like to request for the people involved in the campaign to continue with their effort as the program brings about much changes to the wet market, and now it is far more different than before. The surrounding area is more manageable as less rubbish is seen following the cleanup, and the stench has definitely reduced.

Some stallholders claimed, “At first, we were clueless and angry about this event as it affected our business. However, after listening to the speeches and understanding the reason behind it, we are in fact, happy that the private groups and government are taking steps to clean up and reduce the foul smell. But it is going to take a long time to change their (the residents) thinking because we are so used to having an „open rubbish bin‟.”

Two businesswomen along the 5-foot walkway near Lahad Datu Central Market said, „We are happy with the result after the campaign. Now the area is much cleaner and doesn‟t smell as much. Some of us are now taking responsibility to dispose our rubbish in a rightful manner, into the rubbish bin.‟

The installation of 100,000 EM Mudball Campaign ended with this in mind – 1 Malaysia, 1 Heartbeat, 1 Love for Lahad Datu.

Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia, 21 June 2010: iloveld.com, Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) and Scents of Borneo, together with YB Colonel (K) Haji Salleh Haji Kalbi (Member of Parliament, P188 Silam) hurled the first EM mudballs into the sea of Lahad Datu in the hope of seeing cleaner waters and less foul smell around the fish and chicken markets.Habitual dumping of rubbish into the sea over the years has caused a major build-up of sludge, usually camouflaged by the high tide. With little knowledge of the environmental impact of such human actions, the residents of Lahad Datu were surprised that simple actions can be taken to minimize the pollution.The main sponsors for the event – Lahad Datu Flour Mill Sdn Bhd, Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Masih Jaya Sdn Bhd, Sang Lee Trading, Teck Guan Trading – were equally enthusiastic about doing their part for the environment. Apart from the financial contributions, staff volunteers were present during the mudball making sessions.The 3 organizers pointed out, EM mudballs are not there indefinitely and needs to be periodically added to clean up the „centurion‟ sludge. Micro-organisms from EM Mudballs, coupled with education and awareness of loving the environment plays complementary roles in cleaning up the waters. The first 100,000 EM mudballs signifies the budding of a lifelong effort to protect Mother Nature and the essential source of life – Water.The event proved invigorating for the children of Lahad Datu as well as the volunteers at site. All the 100,000 mudballs were thrown into sea at 6 different locations – Lahad Datu Central Market, Jetty Bandar Wilayah, Pantai Bandar Wilayah, Highway Jalan Pantai, Parit Pasar Malam “Warong” and Parit Metro Commercial Centre.2 days after 100,000 EM Mudball Campaign, the organizers head down to Lahad Datu Central Market, together with Mr Adnan Misuari from Ministry of Health (Lahad Datu) and Mr Rosdi Sawal, an Enforcement Officer from Lahad Datu Town Council who was with his team. All of them saw a welcoming sight and are proud of the changes in the central market after the program. „The smell has noticeably reduced, especially near the chicken market, and the stallholders and business people around the area seem to take more pride in their surrounding areas. Hopefully they will continue with their efforts.‟When interviewed, Mr Morpi B. Mora, a fishmonger at the Lahad Datu Fish Market said „he is also happy with the results of the campaign as it is cleaner and emits less smell‟.Mdm Hanidah Bt Amit, Head of Fish Market (PPIB) Lahad Datu added, „ We would like to request for the people involved in the campaign to continue with their effort as the program brings about much changes to the wet market, and now it is far more different than before. The surrounding area is more manageable as less rubbish is seen following the cleanup, and the stench has definitely reduced.Some stallholders claimed, “At first, we were clueless and angry about this event as it affected our business. However, after listening to the speeches and understanding the reason behind it, we are in fact, happy that the private groups and government are taking steps to clean up and reduce the foul smell. But it is going to take a long time to change their (the residents) thinking because we are so used to having an „open rubbish bin‟.”Two businesswomen along the 5-foot walkway near Lahad Datu Central Market said, „We are happy with the result after the campaign. Now the area is much cleaner and doesn‟t smell as much. Some of us are now taking responsibility to dispose our rubbish in a rightful manner, into the rubbish bin.‟The installation of 100,000 EM Mudball Campaign ended with this in mind – 1 Malaysia, 1 Heartbeat, 1 Love for Lahad Datu.